South Africa Receives R520 Million for Anti-HIV Vaccine Purchase, but Faces a Complication

South Africa Receives R520 Million for Anti-HIV Vaccine Purchase, but Faces a Complication

South Africa, one of the countries hardest hit by the HIV epidemic, has accepted an offer of approximately $29 million from the Global Fund to purchase lenacapavir, a promising anti-HIV jab. However, the country faces financing challenges as the Global Fund is not providing additional funds for lenacapavir, and the country must use funds from a grant that was cut by 16% in June.

Lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo in the U.S., is priced at $28,218 annually in the U.S., but Gilead Sciences has signed royalty-free licensing agreements with generic manufacturers to supply the drug to low- and middle-income countries, including many in Africa. During the interim before generics are widely available, Gilead is providing lenacapavir at no profit, reflecting only production and delivery costs.

Independent studies estimate that generic lenacapavir could cost between $25 and $46 per person per year, with some analysis projecting costs possibly as low as $25 annually depending on demand and volume. For South Africa to provide lenacapavir to millions annually, leveraging generic pricing would be essential to make the program financially feasible and contribute to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2032.

The rollout of lenacapavir in South Africa, expected in early 2026, can only start after the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) registers the medicine, the essential medicines list committee reviews and recommends lenacapavir, procurement processes are in place, and health workers and clinics are prepared. Sahpra aims to register lenacapavir in South Africa before the end of the year.

The lenacapavir funds from the Global Fund will become available in October, during Grant Cycle 7. However, even if the Global Fund's allocation were sufficient, South Africa's health system might not be able to roll out lenacapavir that rapidly, according to scientists and policymakers.

According to a modelling study, if 2-4 million HIV-negative people in South Africa use lenacapavir every year for the next eight years, AIDS could potentially be eradicated as a public health threat by 2032. The two studies suggest that lenacapavir completely protects young women from contracting HIV and works nearly as effectively for men, transgender, and gender-nonbinary people.

Lenacapavir could potentially help end AIDS in South Africa, according to health department spokesperson Foster Mohale. However, the country faces significant challenges in financing and implementing the rollout of this life-saving drug. Despite these challenges, South Africa remains hopeful that lenacapavir will contribute to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2032.

Sources: [1] National Institutes of Health. (2022). Lenacapavir for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis of HIV-1 Infection in Adults and Adolescents. ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05122388

[2] Gilead Sciences. (2022). Yeztugo (lenacapavir) for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-1 Infection in Adults and Adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/our-work-in-hiv/yeztugo-lenacapavir-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prEP

[3] UNAIDS. (2022). HIV in South Africa. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/southafrica

[4] UNAIDS. (2022). Lenacapavir for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-1 Infection in Adults and Adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet/lenacapavir-for-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prEP-of-hiv-1-infection-in-adults-and-adolescents

1. Policies in the workplace-wellness sector should prioritize funding for medical-conditions related to chronic diseases, such as cancer and respiratory conditions, to address the challenges faced by countries like South Africa.
2. Lenacapavir, a promising anti-HIV jab, has shown potential in protecting young women from contracting HIV, according to recent studies.
3. The science behind lenacapavir indicates that it works nearly as effectively for men, transgender, and gender-nonbinary people in preventing HIV.
4. Digestive-health conditions and eye-health issues can be manageable with appropriate therapies and treatments, improving the overall health-and-wellness of individuals.
5. Fitness-and-exercise regimens, in addition to a balanced diet, play a crucial role in maintaining skin-care and cardiovascular health.
6. Sexual-health education is essential for understanding the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and promoting safe practices.
7. Autoimmune-disorders, neurological-disorders, and other complex medical-conditions require ongoing care and research to develop effective treatments.
8. Environmental-science initiatives should focus on understanding and mitigating the effects of climate-change on human health, especially in manufacturing industries.
9. Mental-health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can be alleviated through a combination of treatments, including therapy and medication.
10. Men's-health awareness should encompass multiple aspects, including prostate health, testicular cancer, and cardiovascular health.
11. Skin-care routines should include sun protection to prevent skin-conditions like sunburn and skin cancer.
12. Finance and investment in healthcare, including Medicare, play a significant role in providing access to life-saving therapies and treatments such as lenacapavir.
13. The retail sector can help promote fitness-and-exercise equipment and healthy food options to encourage a health-and-wellness lifestyle.
14. Entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry can lead to innovative solutions for treating chronic diseases and addressing mental-health issues.
15. Transportation systems can be designed to promote physical activity, such as walking or cycling, which contributes to overall fitness and mental well-being.
16. Leadership in the healthcare sector should prioritize diversity-and-inclusion, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or socio-economic status, have equal access to healthcare resources.
17. Small-businesses in the health industry can specialize in areas such as skin-care, nutrition, or mental-health services.
18. Investing in ventures that focus on personal-finance, banking-and-insurance, and fintech can help individuals achieve long-term financial stability.
19. Wealth-management strategies should include considerations for retirement planning and debt-management to secure a comfortable old age.
20. Real-estate development should prioritize locations that provide easy access to fitness-and-exercise facilities, parks, and stores offering healthy food options.
21. The stock-market can be volatile, making it important for individuals to understand saving and investment strategies to mitigate risk and grow their wealth.
22. Private-equity firms can help fund startups and small businesses in various industries, including healthcare and technology.
23. Budgeting tools and resources can help individuals effectively manage their personal finances and save for future goals.
24. Technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, from telemedicine to artificial-intelligence-powered diagnostics.
25. Artificial Intelligence can be applied to various fields, including environmental-science and finance, to analyze massive amounts of data for more effective decision-making.
26. Space-and-astronomy research can lead to technological advancements that benefit multiple sectors, including healthcare and energy.
27. Gadgets, such as fitness-trackers and smartphones, can help individuals track their personal health metrics and promote overall wellness.
28. Efforts to promote diversity-and-inclusion, such as creating a supportive work environment, can lead to increased innovation and productivity in the business world, including the venture-capital and start-up sector.

Read also: